Producer Profile: Wynns Coonawarra Estate

Wynns Coonawarra Estate lays claim to some of the longest established vineyards in the South Australia region of Coonawarra, known for its rich, red soils.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate at a glance

Owner: Treasury Wine Estate
Area: Coonawarra, South Australia
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling
Soils: Terra rossa soil

Wynns Coonawarra Estate profile

Wynns Coonawarra Estate includes some of the longest established vineyards in the region. Vines were originally planted by Scotsman John Riddoch in around 1890, and he built a winery in 1891.

In 1951, Samuel Wynn & Co bought the winery and vineyard and Wynns Coonawarra Estate was born, intending to build on the region’s reputation as a producer of ‘Australian claret’.

Coonawarra means ‘honeysuckle’ in the Aboriginal language. It is a wine region centred on the town of Coonawarra in the Limestone Coast zone of South Australia.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate says that its rich soil, known as terra rossa – ‘red earth’ – marks the vineyards out from other areas. Coonawarra also has a relatively cool climate due to its location.

It is one of the best soils for growing vines in Australia giving intensely-flavoured grapes and maintain a balanced acidity that are perfectly suited for making premium wines, according to Wynns.

Sue Hodder, the Senior Winemaker has been making wines for Wynns since 1998. The estate’s top wines are the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and Michael Shiraz.